larj

Something like this might fit the bill - in the US, but prob something similar to be had locally ... http://www.autoanything.com/products/produ...skins&p_id=1243

You can see the Toyota Japan line up here : http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/carlineup/ and a bit of the Crown history is here : http://www.toyota.co.jp/jp/tech/new_cars/c...tory/index.html The Crown is used a lot as a taxi cab in Japan - possibly the reason Toyota hasn't released it over here. Bunch of different engines available on the online catalog though, running from what appears to be a 2.5 D-4 (diesel ?) for the Crown Athelete up to the what I think is the LS430 V8 (3UZ-FE ?) on the Crown Majesta (for £30k-ish !!!).

Had my 'R' reg Mk IV just over a year, and it goes beautifully. Had a slight leak causing a rain drip at the passenger side front door tweeter, but a discrete bit of sealant seems to have this fixed. I got the latest CD for the SatNav when I bought my car - worthwhile I felt, but not cheap. At that mileage, I'd be inclined to let a Lexus dealer do a 'B' service on it to give it a thorough going over, if it hasn't recently had one already. Make sure you've got the stereo security code :tsktsk: and the locking wheel nut adapter (if you've got a locking wheel nut). The only other thing I bought was a telescopic wheel nut wrench (£6) and a socket (21 mm I think on the 17'' rims - bigger than most standard wheel nuts which are 17 / 19 mm), the provided wheel nut wrench handle is reasonably short and I was just about jumping up and down on the damn thing trying to get the nuts off without success (dealer used the air wrench to torque up the nuts so tight couldn't shift them !). Hope that helps ! It's a cracking car.

I think these are 21 mm wheel nuts, right ? Could try Toyota since might well be a standard type of nut across the Toyota range, which is probably gonna be cheaper than getting them direct from Lexus. I noticed while in the Toyota dealer the other day that the three pin locking wheel nut is very similar if not identical. Also, reckon these would be an ideal candidate for importing from the States - bit weighty, but a reasonably small packet.

Hey Wacko - thanks for the info. How did you discover this ? Is there a tech bulletin out, or just a garage that knew what to do ? Kinda weird it doesn't happen on all the doors though.

Thanks for that - exactly what I wanted. Don't suppose you've got a page from the service manual showing this procedure ?

Had same prob (tyre width and low front) - went to local sawmill and picked up some hefty hardwood blocks (Ash), a fiver each and each a couple of feet long, then cut a suitable pitch to allow the car up. Does the job.

Hi - just noticed a little leak coming in thru the front passenger door mounted tweeter speaker (the small corner speaker near the window). Anyone had this problem and found a cure ? Looked at the door seal, and don't think it's coming in their, so my best guess at the mo is that the water is coming in at the wing mirror. Car is a MkIV. Thanks for any help.

Post a pic of the Jap label - should be able to translate it for you.

Happy about raising the car up, but once up, want to support it on axle stands so can take the wheels off. Done it before on other cars - used the suspension mounting points - but just wondered if anyone had an opinon on the best / most secure place to put them.

Hi - any one got any thoughts on where is the best place (front and back) to put axle stands to support the car ? Thanks.

When I was looking at front sensors, the comment was that the emitted field tends to project both ways (i.e. outwards and inwards) to an extent, and that the moving parts of the engine might well effect the reading at the front - specific calibration would be needed. Just something to bear in mind.

If they're willing to tick the customs declaration as 'Gift', it'll be duty and vat exempt (Customs might suss if there is a company address on the 'From' label) - this has worked for me in the past for other things. Also, you could ask them to state a lower amount on the customs dec sticker - this has also worked. Shipping companies, like FedEx, pay the vat and duty for you and then ask for the money back - if you can use the regular national postal service, you'll be asked to pay any duty and vat (if charged) in person.

Check out Tutorials, if you haven't seen them already.

Hi - I've got an LS400 with the dynamic handling pack. This has slightly larger rims (17") than the standard LS400. It's running 245/50 ZR 17 Pirellis'. Can anyone tell me definitely what the tyre pressure on these is supposed to be ? The manual with the car gives the tyre pressures for the standard wheels (15" or 16" rims ?). The previous owner/garage has written in that the 17" tyres should be running at 32 psi (normal conditions/normal loads). Just wanted to get this confirmed, if any one can help out. Also, while looking around under the car, saw a line of four screw holes right at the front in the underside lip on the front bumper (further forward than the first set of front mud flaps), both on the driver's side and the passenger's side. Looks like something was attached here, cos the paint has a bit of rust discoloration. Are there supposed to be scratch plates or something right at the front ? Thanks for any help.